SCHUMER, ARMY CORPS BREAK GROUND ON HISTORIC LONG BEACH PROTECTION PROJECT; COASTAL RESILIENCY PROJECT INCLUDES SEVEN MILES OF SHORELINE FROM EAST ROCKAWAY INLET TO JONES INLET

Schumer Successfully Fought For 100 Percent Federal Funding to Complete Long Beach Protection Project; Groundbreaking Means Barrier Island Will Not Be Left Vulnerable in Event of Future Storm 

Schumer: Long Beach Island Well On Its Way to a More Resilient Waterfront & Hardened Shoreline

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Rep. Peter King, Colonel David Caldwell of the Army Corps of Engineers, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky, County Legislator Denise Ford, Hempstead Councilmembers Erin King Sweeney and Anthony D’Esposito and the City of Long Beach broke ground on the Long Beach Island shore protection project, which includes seven miles of protected shoreline, between East Rockaway Inlet and Jones Inlet. Overall, the finished project will include new stone for jetties, groin rehabilitation, 5 million cubic yards of sand fill and dunes approximately 14 feet above sea level across the length of Long Beach Island’s 7 mile shoreline. Schumer secured the federal funds needed to get this project off the ground.

“The Long Beach Protection Project’s groundbreaking should be celebrated by the many homeowners and businesses of Long Beach that have shown incredible resilience since Superstorm Sandy. This Army Corps project—decades in the making—will provide Long Beach with the armor it needs to weather the next storm and that’s why I fought tooth and nail to secure the funds needed to get it off the ground and put it on the path that has finally led to shovels in the ground. I have every faith that this project will prove to be beneficial to Long Beach in terms of mitigating future losses, and I hope it will give Long Beach residents some peace of mind in knowing their community is safe from natural disaster,” said Senator Schumer.

Rep. Peter King said, “Superstorm Sandy unfortunately showed us just how vulnerable our coastline is. The funding for this project will go a long way in not only completing Long Island’s recovery but bolstering our resiliency against future storms. I am proud to have worked with Senator Schumer on this critical funding.”?

“As the Army Corps breaks ground today on the Long Beach Protection Project, we mark a major step in our ongoing efforts to recover from Sandy and prepare for future storms,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “This project is an investment in our district’s security that will make our shoreline more resilient and ensure that our coastal communities on the Barrier Island are protected when the next storm strikes. I look forward to seeing the project’s completion, and I’ll keep working with Senator Schumer and all of our federal, state and local partners to make sure our district has the resources we need to fully recover from Sandy and build back stronger and smarter than ever.”

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano stated, "I thank Senator Schumer for securing the Federal funds needed to move this critical coastal resiliency project forward. As a barrier island, we learned during Superstorm Sandy just how susceptible homeowners and businesses are to storm damage. From new dunes to new berms and new jetties, this project will strengthen our shoreline and communities from future storms."

“Ensuring that the South Shore’s beaches are hardened for future storms is crucial to the Barrier Island,” said Senator Todd Kaminsky.  “This is a smart investment that will make our beaches and community more resilient, and will better protect our communities from future storms.  I look forward to continuing to work with the Army Corps and the community to advance the ongoing, vital dialogue to ensure the successful implementation of the project.”??

 “Sadly, as we witnessed first hand with Superstorm Sandy, the barrier island is especially susceptible to storm damage,” said Legislator Ford. “This project will fortify our area to better protect our community in the event of a future storm. I’d like to thank Senator Schumer and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for securing federal funds for this vital project.”  

"Hempstead Town is excited to be the location where the Long Beach Island shore protection project will kick-off," stated Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino.  "Our municipality was the first municipality to authorize the plan in 2013, and we are eager to have this coastal hardening project move forward.  Thank you to Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Peter King for their efforts to advance the project and secure funding."

"Protecting neighbors near the shoreline from coastal flooding is a top priority for Hempstead Town officials, and this project will help achieve that goal," stated Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney. 

Added Councilman Anthony D'Esposito, "As a resident of a coastal hometown that was decimated by Hurricane Sandy, I am very pleased that our vulnerable south shore residents will be safer from flooding as a result of this project."?

“We are at an extremely exciting time in the City’s history,” said City Council President Len Torres. “The Army Corps of Engineers project is something this City Council demanded, and we are thrilled to see this critically important, long-overdue project finally moving forward – as we continue rebuilding a stronger, smarter, and safer Long Beach.”

"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is very pleased to begin work on this project," said Col. David Caldwell, commander, New York District. "Long Beach was severely affected by Hurricane Sandy four years ago so I'm pleased to say we're taking significant steps to increase the resiliency of the community and provide coastal storm risk management for the Long Beach community.  This project will take time and we'll work with the communities to minimize disruption while ensuring a timely completion.?

Following passage of the Sandy Relief Bill, Schumer worked hard to secure full federal funding for this project. The Sandy relief bill that was signed into law required only that the feds pick up 65% of the project cost, but that amount could be increased if the projects met the criteria of “on-going construction” and are updated to make them stronger, more resilient, and offer better protection against storms.  Immediately after the bill’s passage, Schumer, working side by side with his Long Island House colleagues like Rep. Peter King, began working with the Army Corps of Engineers and Office of Management and Budget to lay out a strategic pathway for this project, and others, to be considered as “ongoing construction” and modified to adapt to the changing climate and therefore eligible for full federal funding.

Superstorm Sandy devastated Long Beach barrier island, causing tens of millions in property damage, destroying the island’s infrastructure and iconic boardwalk, as well as washing away 294,000 cubic yards of sand that acts as a barrier along the oceanfront. 

In 2013, Schumer met with community leaders and local officials at Point Lookout and pushed OMB and the Army Corps to begin construction and planning of the barrier island protection project immediately so the affected communities are not left vulnerable to future storms. The County of Nassau, Town of Hempstead and the City of Long Beach passed resolutions in support of the project.

The project’s initial construction cost is approximately $230 million. The first contract, consisting of stone work for the groins, was awarded in March.  The second contract, consisting of sand placement for the dunes and beach as well as walkover/crossover structures, is expected be awarded in fall 2017. 

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